Whitworths at Gettysburg

[pamc153PA]

The caption below the pic gives info about the battery and the guns.

Awhile ago, my parents gave me an original copy of Historic Views of Gettysburg by Mumper and Miller, published in 1912. The book is full of photos of the battlefield, buildings and monuments from that time period. It's a great book if you're interested in history of the battlefield through photos.

One of my favorite photos in the book is the battery of Whitworth guns across West Confederate Avenue from Red Patch. The Whitworths pictured here are now on Oak Hill next to the Peace Light.

 

[redbob]

The only Whitworths at Gettysburg were assigned to Hardaway's Alabama Battery and they were located then (as now) about where the Peace Monument is. As a side note to this picture, the bolts and shells shown stacked up were original and these days they command over $1000.00 each on the collectors market. BTW, this too is one of my favorite Civil War photos. They are also on the wrong type carriages, at the time; I guess the War Department made do with what they had as far as Battlefield Parks were concerned.

 

[Wallyfish]

Very interesting as I am just starting my research on artillery at Gettysburg.

I know that Whitworth's had a very long range.

From their marker on Oak Hill

Army of Northern Virginia
Hill's Corps Artillery Reserve
McIntosh's Battalion, Hurt's Battery
Hardaway Alabama Artillery
Two Whitworths Two 3 Inch Rifles

July 1. The Whitworths were in position near Chambersburg Pike west of Herr's Tavern and actively engaged.

July 2. All the guns were in position here and actively engaged under heavy fire of sharpshooters and artillery.

July 3. The 3 Inch Rifles remained here. The Whitworths were moved to position on Oak Hill. All were actively engaged. The Whitworths were beyond the range of Union guns whilst their own fire reached all parts of the field.

July 4. Withdrew at evening to Marsh Creek on Fairfield Road.

Losses not reported in detail.

Summary of Whitworth's.

• Type: Rifled Gun, hexagonal rifling
• Rarity: Very Rare
• Years of Manufacture: 1861-1865
• Tube Composition: Steel
• Bore Diameter: 2.75 inches
• Standard Powder Charge: 1.75 lbs.
• Projectiles: 12 lb. hexagonal bolt
• Tube Length: 104 inches
• Tube Weight: 1,092 lbs.
• Effective Range (at 5°): 2600 yards
• Maximum Range (at 35°): 10,000 yards
• No. in North America: approx. 50 (US & CS)
• Invented By: Sir Joseph Whitworth
• Casting Foundry: Whitworth Ordnance Company, Manchester, England
• Special Notes: Although originally designed as a breechloader, muzzle-loading versions of this weapon were produced as well.

More about 12 pdr. Whitworth Breechloading Rifles
The 12-pounder Whitworth Breechloading Rifle, manufactured in England, was invented by Sir Joseph Whitworth, and imported into North America during the Civil War. It was a very rare gun during the war, but was an interesting precursor to modern artillery in that it was loaded from the breech and had exceptional accuracy over an enormous range. An engineering magazine wrote in 1864 that, "At 1600 yards the Whitworth gun fired 10 shots with a lateral deviation of only 5 inches." This degree of accuracy made them effective in counter-battery fire, used almost as the equivalent of a sharpshooter's rifle, and also for firing over bodies of water. They were not popular as anti-infantry weapons.

Whitworth BoltThe 2.75 inch bore of the Whitworth was hexagonal in cross-section, and the projectile a long bolt that twisted to conform to the rifling. It is said that these bolts made a very eerie sound when fired, which could be distinguished from other projectiles.

Despite the great range and accuracy of this rifle, the Whitworth was difficult to keep operational. First, ammunition was unique to the rifle, and also expensive and difficult to import. Second, the breechloading mechanism was prone to jam, forcing many guns to be loaded as a conventional muzzle-loader of the era.

Although the Whitworths are of the generally associated with the C.S.A.--most were run through the Union blockade--there was one battery in Federal service in 1861. This battery only saw field service during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862, and for the remainder of the War was part of the defenses around Washington, DC.

 

[bdtex]

A bit off-topic but not really. Read the caption below the photo and maybe I finally understand something about how some CW weapons work. The percussion cap provided the spark that ignited the powder?

 

[redbob]

A bit off-topic but not really. Read the caption below the photo and maybe I finally understand something about how some CW weapons work. The percussion cap provided the spark that ignited the powder?

Some cannons used a caplock device which operated much like a percussion firing system on a rifled musket while others used a friction primer to ignite the charges. The caplock device could be removed and a friction primer used instead. The caption of the picture must be referring to percussion rifles as the Whitworths used a friction primer ignition system that instead of being located on top of the tube was located at the rear of the tube in the breechblock. They were known for projecting the spent friction primers out of their vent holes with such force when fired that a protective cage had to be placed over the hole to catch them and prevent injury to the gun's crew.

 

[bdtex]

Some cannons used a caplock device which operated much like a percussion firing system on a rifled musket while others used a friction primer to ignite the charges. The caplock device could be removed and a friction primer used instead. The caption of the picture must be referring to percussion rifles as the Whitworths used a friction primer ignition system that instead of being located on top of the tube was located at the rear of the tube in the breechblock. They were known for projecting the spent friction primers out of their vent holes with such force when fired that a protective cage had to be placed over the hole to catch them and prevent injury to the gun's crew.

Percussion rifles is what I was talking about. "some CW weapons" wasn't exactly specific.

 

[JohnW.]

Thanks so much for sharing the photo!!!! I was just reading about the Whitworth rifles on Oak Hill shelling "those people" on Cemetery Hill during the cannonade preceding the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble charge on 3 July. My favorite Confederate field piece

12 pdr. Whitworth Breechloading Rifle
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12 pdr. Whitworth Breechloading Rifle at Gettysburg (Sept 2006, Michael Kendra).


12 pdr. Whitworth Breechloading Rifle at Richmond, VA (4/1865, LOC).


12 pdr. Whitworth Breechloading Rifles at Gettysburg NMP (Unknown, NPS).

• Type: Rifled Gun, hexagonal rifling
• Rarity: Very Rare
• Years of Manufacture: 1861-1865
• Tube Composition: Steel
• Bore Diameter: 2.75 inches
• Standard Powder Charge: 1.75 lbs.
• Projectiles: 12 lb. hexagonal bolt
• Tube Length: 104 inches
• Tube Weight: 1,092 lbs.
• Effective Range (at 5°): 2600 yards
• Maximum Range (at 35°): 10,000 yards
• No. in North America: approx. 50 (US & CS)
• Invented By: Sir Joseph Whitworth
• Casting Foundry: Whitworth Ordnance Company, Manchester, England
• Special Notes: Although originally designed as a breechloader, muzzle-loading versions of this weapon were produced as well.

This is from Civil War Wiki

 

[pamc153PA]

George Newton is the LBG that knows his stuff when it comes to artillery strikes Gettysburg. Here's the Gettysburg Daily post that deals with the Whitworths. Chock full of info.

http://www.gettysburgdaily.com/gett...ith-licensed-battlefield-guide-george-newton/

 

[pamc153PA]

This site has info about the Whitworths, but if you are interested in or are into learning about artillery, there is tons of info here:

http://www.thomaslegion.net/americancivilwar/artillerycivilwarcannonweaponsmortars.html

 

[pamc153PA]

My autumn-like version of one of the Whitworths on Oak Hill.

 

[Wallyfish]

George Newton is the LBG that knows his stuff when it comes to artillery strikes Gettysburg. Here's the Gettysburg Daily post that deals with the Whitworths. Chock full of info.

http://www.gettysburgdaily.com/gett...ith-licensed-battlefield-guide-george-newton/

Pam,

Do you know if your referenced George Newton is the author of Silent Sentinels Gettysburg Artillery Guide? I was going to order this book for Christmas but I saw it was out of print. Amazon has a paperback release date of July 3, 2017 of this book on their website. I hope that book is updated as I have been looking for this book but I can't find it.

I know my way around Gettysburg fairly well (I better after so many trips), but I have never taken the time to learn about artillery types. I am ok on understanding the artillery actions but I never could tell you the artillery type just by looking at it. I ordered Brian Gottfried's artillery book for Christmas so I hope that helps me.

Thanks for the post.

 

[pamc153PA]

And this from Harper's Weekly in August 1861:

The Whitworth rifled cannon obtains its remarkable power and accuracy by the adoption of a polygonal spiral bore of uniform pitch, more rapid than could be obtained by grooves. The 12-pounder-one of which was a few days since exhibited in this city—with a bore of 3.2 inches, has one turn in sixty inches; it is eight feet long and breech-loading. The projectile is oblong, made of cast iron, and formed to fit the grooves of the barrel. The breech of the gun is covered with a cap which screws on, and on being removed swings to one side upon a hinge ; the projectile is then inserted into the open breech, and followed by a tin cartridge-case containing the powder, and capped by a cake of wax or other lubricating composition; the breech-cap is then swung to and screwed on by its handles, a fuse inserted into the vent, and the gun is discharged. The lubricating matter being carried out with the ball effectually cleanses the gun, and the deposit is afterward withdrawn with the cartridge-case. As there is no exhalation of gases from the breech-cap, one of the worst features of breech-loading guns is avoided. The range of this gun is said to be greater than the Armstrong gun, and its accuracy more positive. Guns of the size herein described cost £300 in England.

 

[redbob]

Pam,

Do you know if your referenced George Newton is the author of Silent Sentinels Gettysburg Artillery Guide? I was going to order this book for Christmas but I saw it was out of print. Amazon has a paperback release date of July 3, 2017 of this book on their website. I hope that book is updated as I have been looking for this book but I can't find it.

I know my way around Gettysburg fairly well (I better after so many trips), but I have never taken the time to learn about artillery types. I am ok on understanding the artillery actions but I never could tell you the artillery type just by looking at it. I ordered Brian Gottfried's artillery book for Christmas so I hope that helps me.

Thanks for the post.

A good place to start learning about Civil War Artillery is Jack Melton's website: www.civilwarartillery.com

 

[pamc153PA]

Pam,

Do you know if your referenced George Newton is the author of Silent Sentinels Gettysburg Artillery Guide? I was going to order this book for Christmas but I saw it was out of print. Amazon has a paperback release date of July 3, 2017 of this book on their website. I hope that book is updated as I have been looking for this book but I can't find it.

I know my way around Gettysburg fairly well (I better after so many trips), but I have never taken the time to learn about artillery types. I am ok on understanding the artillery actions but I never could tell you the artillery type just by looking at it. I ordered Brian Gottfried's artillery book for Christmas so I hope that helps me.

Thanks for the post.

Yes, that's George Newton's book, and it's a good one.

I was never big into artillery until I started to seriously study for the LBG test, and then I knew I had to learn it. I have Newton's and Gottfried's books, and I would make myself take part of each trip to identify artillery on different parts of the field. I spent one whole summer ending each visit to a Gburg by parking at the McMillan house, and walking down the line along West Confederate, making myself identify the artillery pieces, and learning their types of shot or shell, and something about their ranges, where they were made, etc. Now I drive the route to review it out loud: "Rifled 3 inch, howitzer, 10-pounder, Napoleon, 20-pounder, etc."

 

[JohnW.]

Wow!!! so much good information. I'll be busy for awhile. Thanks!!!

 

[Willoughby Run]

Pam,

Do you know if your referenced George Newton is the author of Silent Sentinels Gettysburg Artillery Guide? I was going to order this book for Christmas but I saw it was out of print. Amazon has a paperback release date of July 3, 2017 of this book on their website. I hope that book is updated as I have been looking for this book but I can't find it.

I know my way around Gettysburg fairly well (I better after so many trips), but I have never taken the time to learn about artillery types. I am ok on understanding the artillery actions but I never could tell you the artillery type just by looking at it. I ordered Brian Gottfried's artillery book for Christmas so I hope that helps me.

Thanks for the post.

Hi Wallyfish,

The Visitor's Center bookshop at the Park had copies of the hardbound edition of Silent Sentinels earlier this month. I can swing by later today to see if they still have copies, if you like.

Charlie

 

[Andrew]

Other than at Gettysburg near the Peace Light Memorial, does anyone know of any other Whitworths currently on display at a battlefield?

 

[gary]

I think Petersburg has one.

 

[Stone in the wall]

Other than at Gettysburg near the Peace Light Memorial, does anyone know of any other Whitworths currently on display at a battlefield?

I know this was awhile back but I just ran across it. My (2004) Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War Hazlett, Olmstead, and Parks shows Gary being right, and USNY in Washington (barrels only I think)having a breach loader and a muzzle loader I would think they are still there

 

[crazyhorse]

Great thread thanks to all who posted. Mike